I went hands-on with all of Meta’s new $299 smart glasses to see if they’re actually better without the logos

(Image credit: Future)

I just went hands-on with Meta's newest lineup of smart glasses, and one thing is immediately clear: the company is ready to move beyond borrowed brand power.While the second-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses started at $379, Meta’s latest collection drops the Ray-Ban (and Oakley) badges entirely. Instead, Meta collaborated directly with parent company EssilorLuxottica on a line officially called Meta Glasses and brought the starting price down to a more palatable $299.The new collection doubles down on personalization, with highly adjustable frames, more style options, improved fit and an upgraded AI experience powered by Meta's latest LLM. It's a bold move that suggests Meta believes its smart glasses are now the product people recognize, not the logo stamped on the side.That said, there's a hilarious twist: my favorite pair in the lineup is the very distinctly branded Kylie edition co-designed with none other than the "Rise and Shine"-singing, Knicks courtside-sitting icon herself, Kylie Jenner.The entire collection is available now Meta.com, LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut, Best Buy, and Amazon. Let’s get into everything you can expect.Meta Glasses: Styles and fitThe new main collection features three distinct styles: Adventurer (a timeless rectangular shape,) Fury (a thicker statement-making frame) and Meta Glasses by Kylie (chic oval frames, detailed more below.)Image 1 of 3Meta Glasses by Kylie(Image credit: Future)They come in a massive palette of colors including Classic Black, Classic Tortoise, Racing Green, Linen, Merlot, Mahogany, and Sandstone. Combined with sun, Transitions®, polarized, and clear lens options, there are 26 distinct styles available at launch.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.But how a pair of glasses feel is equally as important to how they look. Smart glasses typically suffer from being rigid, clunky and even unforgiving. Meta is addressing this head-on with a three-prong approach to comfort:Overextension Hinges: Designed to flex outward to accommodate wider head shapes without pinching.Adjustable Nose Pads: A massive win for comfort, weight distribution, and keeping the lenses off your cheeks.Adjustable Temple Tips: Armed with an internal core wire (which is actually visible inside the transparent colorways) that lets you mold the ear stems for a secure-but-comfortable fit.Meta Glasses by KylieIn addition to Fury and Adventurer, Meta revealed a new collaboration with Kylie Jenner. Offered in classic black and tortoise frames, I think these are the most "non-smart glasses looking" smart glasses ever made.